title: Localization and modulation of NEDD8 protein in the human placenta.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neural precursor cell-expressed, developmentally down-regulated-8 (NEDD8) is a 76-amino-acid ubiquitin-like polypeptide. NEDD8 affects the signaling of various molecules but the major cellular target proteins are cullins. The neddylation process is correlated closely with apoptosis, cell-cycle regulation, embryogenesis and development.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the present work was to investigate NEDD8 distribution and expression in the human placenta during gestation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 samples, 15 chorionic villous samples from first trimester and 15 from full-term placentae, were used for the immunohistochemical analysis of NEDD8 expression. The gestation period ranged from 5 to 40 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  NEDD8 was highly expressed in the cytotrophoblast of the first trimester of gestation, whereas in the third trimester, it was localized in the endothelial cells and stroma of placental villi.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that NEDD8 may play an important role in the control of proliferation and differentiation of human placenta throughout pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Second University of Naples, Via L. Armanni 5, 80138 Naples, Italy. angela.lucariello@gmail.com
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lucariello
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Trabucco
authors.forename: Carmine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sellitto
authors.forename: Angelica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perna
authors.forename: Carmelina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Manzo
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Laforgia
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cobellis
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Falco
mesh_terms: D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000075687:NEDD8 Protein; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D021381:Protein Transport; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014452:Ubiquitins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000075687:NEDD8 Protein; C082860:NEDD8 protein, human; D014452:Ubiquitins
keywords: NEDD8; differantion; differentiation; human placenta; immunofluorescence; immunohistochemistry; placenta; pregnancy; proliferation